Clause 93 - Power to require simultaneous registration
Land Registration Bill [Lords]
10:45 am
Mr Michael Wills (Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department; North Swindon, Labour)
We have already discussed the general approach taken in drafting the Bill and the problems that might arise from specifying particular individuals or bodies for consultation. The duty to consult in various parts of the Bill has deliberately been worded very loosely to enable the Lord Chancellor to consult such persons as he or she feels should be consulted at that time.
We cannot know at this stage what changes could alter any list of consultees that we prepare now and it would be inappropriate and undesirable to create a partial list. Flexibility is important. At present, it is inconceivable that either the Law Society or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers would be left out of a consultation process under clause 93, which, as the
hon. Member for Stone said, is an important clause. I happily undertake to ensure that they will be consulted when the time comes.
It remains our view that it would not be appropriate or desirable to highlight those groups by mentioning them in the Bill. There will be other consultees whose contributions will be equally important to the decision-making process. In light of the need to maintain flexibility and of the undertaking that I have given, I hope that the hon. Gentleman will withdraw the amendment.